Reviews

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

Only show reviews with written explanations

brittanyrichm's review

5.0

Kylie and Casey just felt so gosh darn real! Listening to the audiobook made it so much better. You could feel the grief they were going through. I loved how the relationship really came together from a hockey team and the forced proximity kind of vibe. I just loved it!

5/5 stars for rediscovered love, grief, and discovery!

shelbyandpaws's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

erinnh's review

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2.0

In What Happened to the McCrays?, Kyle McCray learns that his father suffered a debilitating stroke and must return home to Potsdam, New York. But, his return is an emotionally-charged event for him and everyone around him. That’s because when he left suddenly two and a half years ago he abandoned everyone who loved and depended on him, including his wife, Casey. Can Kyle and Casey stand to be in the same town again? What happened nearly three years ago?

The novel is a family drama presented mostly in the present, but told in “Then” and “Now” chapters. As Kyle slowly discovers the impact his departure from New York had on everyone in his life, the reader slowly learns the events leading up to it.

I’ve read all of Tracey Lange’s books so far, and I tend to enjoy her overall writing style. I think her skills shine in creating tension in her scenes and evoking emotion from the reader. I like how she builds suspense as the narratives unravel. However, in my opinion, she tends to rely on tropes/clichés a little too heavily, both in terms of characterization and sometimes in plot. I also know that she likes to write about flawed characters, but sometimes she seems to be flirting with romanticizing toxic behaviors and it weirds me out a little. We see that here with some of Kyle’s behaviors in particular.

I also just had a harder time staying engaged this go around. I didn’t have that issue with her past works, and I think it might be because I was more interested in the relationship at the center of the narrative than the other elements (the hockey team, the side characters), and also because I wasn’t as connected to Kyle and Casey as I was with the Brennans or Connellys.

Even though this wasn’t for me, readers of family dramas and relationship dramas (especially those with small town vibes) might enjoy this one. And it’s especially worth checking out if you are a fan of Tracey Lange’s previous works!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

Content Warnings

stepharina's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

maze0707's review

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2.0

I really enjoyed The Connellys of County Down so I didn’t hesitate to add What Happened to the McCrays to my anticipated reads for 2025. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this story or the characters.

The topics discussed are very tragic but they didn’t feel tragic. The main characters Kyle and Casey, are at the center of this story, yet the events that led them to where we meet them in the book, didn’t offer much in the way of building anticipation for what was to come.

Everything felt very dry. I don’t know how else to describe it. I used the phrase “bare bones of what could’ve been a good story” in my notes and I feel like that still holds true. This book is very family centric, which I enjoy because I love seeing the effects of drama and how different dynamics become shaped by past events. But I didn’t get that gut-punch feeling from this book. There was a lack of heart in the writing and it came through in how the characters were portrayed. I know I should be sad for you but I don’t even feel like you’re that sad.